The 9.11 acre James Property, located east of Metacom Drive, was acquired by the Simsbury Land Trust as a gift from Gerti James in 1992. This wooded property abuts town open space along its entire west side. Part of its north border abuts the town-owned Gerston Property. Northeast Utilities properties abut the property on the reminder of the north border, the northern most part of the east border, the southern part of the east border, and the south border. The remainder of the east border abuts private holdings.
The James Property is relatively flat on its west side but has a steep incline on its east border. A small, intermittent, brook on the northwest side of the property runs out of a wetland located on the town and utility properties to the north. Except for a dirt road, the property is entirely forested. The predominant conifer is hemlock but most of the trees are deciduous. Oak (mostly white), hickory, sugar maple, ash, birch (white and black), and sycamores all grow on the property. Maple-leaved viburnum, spicebush, winterberry holly, asters, and false Solomon’s seal grow in the understory.
The James Property is a piece of the open space corridor identified in Simsbury’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Its primary value lies in its contribution to wildlife habitat. The mature forest on the property contributes to diversifying habitat and complementing the extensive powerline cut that is located directly to the south.
The James Property is located about 550 feet east of Metacom Drive. There is a path to the property through town open space next to the fire pond that is north of 26 Metacom Drive. A fire hydrant and several brownstone blocks next to the road mark the beginning of the path. The Simsbury Land Trust has placed a mini-kiosk on the property near the path to Metacom Drive. For a longer hike start where the Metacomet Trail meets Mountain Rd. in Tariffville. The Metacomet Trail is marked with blue blazes and passes right by the stone pillars and that mark the site of the old Bartlett Tower. A second mini-kiosk has been placed at the northeast corner of the James Property where it abuts the Metacomet Trail. To make a loop, take the informal trail down to the dirt road and head back north to Mountain Rd. The two powerline cuts that are north and south of the James Property offer views all the way across the Farmington River valley. |
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